Busy Norah

Norah has a pretty full schedule this year. She has music, preschool and dance class. Busiest 3-year-old I know!

First up music class with Miss Karen.

Max wanted to join in on the picture.

And he's obsessed with the neighbor's cat. Ha!

 Norah went to preschool the next day. She's been waiting 2 long weeks since Logan started school. No fear at all. She has a great teacher and is in a class full of boys. She and another little girl are the only ones in the class.

Last but not least, dance class. This is her second year and she loves it. She takes from my cousin Kalie.

I think she's going to have a busy, fun year!

Norah's First Dance Recital

This darling girl had her first dance recital!

 We had had a busy day at Lagoon and ended up leaving later for the recital than expected. It was about an hour to drive to Coalville, and we literally made it with a minute to spare. Norah was a pro and didn't act nervous at all on that stage. She was so cute to watch.

I managed to take a few extra pictures afterward. She was so happy and giddy from her performance.

I don't think anyone was more proud than her daddy. They have the sweetest relationship.

Great job Norah!

Norah at 3 Years

 Happy Birthday to my adorable 3-year-old!

I was just looking back the past 3 years at pictures of you. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. 

Weren't you just my newborn?

Age 1

Age 2

Some things about Norah right now:

-You are starting to get into the princess thing, and everytime you were a dress, you immediately start twirling and call yourself a princess

-You love Mommy, but you LOVE LOVE your Daddy. You two have the sweetest bond.

-You continue to be a picky eater. Your favorite foods are berries, chocolate milk and cereal

-You love Disney songs and always start dancing when you hear something you like (especially from Little Mermaid or Frozen)

-You are a little accident prone and seem to fall or get hurt multiple times a day

-You love to scream to get your way

-You tease Logan to no end to get a reaction out of him

-You are Max's biggest fan and love his to pieces

-You still suck your thumb and don't show any signs of slowing down

-You always get tons of comments of how beautiful you are, including you should be in movies/magazines or that you look like Snow White

-You know all your colors, recite your ABCs (and recognize some letters) and can count to 12. You love to learn and are incredibly smart

-You like to make up nicknames for Max, different ones everyday

-You love watching Mickey Mouse shows

-You give really big hugs and love to show affection

Happy birthday Norah Jo! I love you!

My Beautiful Girl

 While taking Max's monthly pictures, this girl decided to pose for the camera and I had to seize the opportunity! I thought this would be a good time to do a little update on Norah Jo.

 Post-nap hair but that's just the way you are. Those curls have a mind of their own.

Speaking of minds, you continually amaze me with your little thoughts and phrases. You tell me exactly what you want, when you want it. Usually with a little quiet voice and a twirl of the hair. You know how to get your way. Except with Logan - there's usually screaming involved.

You are a Daddy's girl and love him to pieces. You give him big hugs every day. You sometimes say, "How was your day Daddy?"

I love when I catch you twirling and singing. Sometimes you make up your own words to songs.Current favorites are anything from Frozen or Little Mermaid.

I still think of you as this little toddler but you have grown into this little girl right before my eyes!

I love our little moments when we snuggle and read a book. Or I just hold you and kiss your head. I tell you that you're my favorite girl.

It's so fun having a daughter. I love you to pieces Norah girl!

A Dress from Grandma and little Update

 My mom made this dress for Norah and after a year it finally fits her! I think she looks darling in it.

Norah loves it too. She calls it her "pwincess dwess".

I though I would do a little update on Norah since she turned 2 1/2 this month. Norah is at such a fun age right now. She makes me laugh everyday. She is a snuggler, singer, dancer and tease. She is either sweet as pie or a little terror.

Norah is very into Minnie Mouse, Frozen songs, fruit snacks, and swinging on the swings. She loves wearing her shoes and will wear them all the time. She gets very concerned when there is anything on her hands or clothes. She constantly asks for a napkin to wipe herself off or to clean up messes. Maybe she sees me do it a million times a day. 

She follows Logan around everywhere and they can be the cutest little buddies. She LOVES fruit and would be content eating it for every meal. Also a lover of carbs like her momma. She doesn't like white milk (never has) and it drives me crazy! We always mix in a little Carnation Instant Breakfast for some flavor. I hope to wean her off shortly.

She is such a smart little thing. She knows and recognizes many letters in the alphabet. She counts up to 12 and attempts to 20 but gets her teens all mixed up. She knows her colors, shapes, animals, etc. She talks in complete sentences and simply loves to learn.

We are venturing into potty-training, which will hopefully click faster than it did with her older brother. My baby girl is no longer a baby but a busy, smart, little girl who knows what she wants, when she wants it. She definitely holds her own as the only girl.

Norah's Stitches

 So Norah had a pretty tramatic experience on May 4th. Sunday night I was watching a show with the kids while Benj left for a few minutes to help his grandparents with their computer. Norah started screaming and I looked up and see her 2 tiny fingers stuck in between our TV hutch doors. 

I tried to pull them out but they were wedged so tightly I couldn't get them out. The doors hinge so I didn't want to move them in the wrong direction in fear I would break her fingers!

What felt like eternity (only about 1 minute) I finally got them out. I could see the skin was broken and the cut deep. Her fingers looked, well, flat and I was worried they were broken. I frantically called Benj (no answer), grabbed a wet hand towel and tried to have Norah hold it on her hand. She wanted none of it! She'd freak out and rub her fingers on her shirt and didn't want anything touching them. I called Benj again, this time he answered. All I said is "Come home right now!" and I hung up before telling him details. Grabbed the towel and tried to calm Norah down. Called Benj again and said, "This really is an emergency. Norah's fingers might be broken and I need to take her to the ER."

Norah with her bandaged fingers

He got home fast and I left with Norah, her whole arm wrapped in the hand towel and bandage tape to try to keep it in place. If you know Norah, you know she sucks her thumb. It was really hard for her to not suck her thumb since it was on the damaged hand. I felt like I was running around like a madwoman.

It being Sunday, our only option really was the hospital ER. As I drove, she would have little sad spurts. She started singing Let It Go in her sad little voice. That made me cry and we sang that song all the way to the hospital. They didn't make us wait too long and Norah calmed down by watching Minnie Mouse on my phone. By the time we got to a room of our own, it was probably around 8:30. 

The ER doctors and nurses took great care of Norah. I held Norah in my lap while they took a few x-rays to make sure it wasn't broken. Good news was it wasn't. She needed 3 stitches in each finger so 6 total.

The worst part was her getting the 2 shots to numb her for stitches. They wrapped her mummy-like in a sheet with her arm out so she wouldn't move. She screamed and screamed! I tried to stroke her head and comfort her, but she really didn't calm down until they were done with the shots. Afterwards she calmed right down. I asked her if she wanted me to sing her a song and I sang Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. Then I Love to See the Temple, Popcorn Popping, and I am a Child of God. By the time I got to the chorus of the last song, she was snoring. It was about 10:00 by the time we left. Its no wonder she was exhausted.

She was really good about not pulling on her bandage and knowing she had an "owie". I had to replace the bandage for the first few days. Then she really didn't need one (although she liked having bandaids on her fingers). You can see on the photo below how it fell off while she took a nap.

We went in 10 days later to get them removed. Amazing how fast little bodies can heal. Norah did great while they removed them.

To celebrate getting her stitches out, she got a treat at Sweet Tooth Fairy. She chose a fairyfetti cake bite. You can see she was excited. 

So, this was my first (and hopefully) last experience with stitches as a mom. Its so hard to see your kids in pain. I hope we don't have to deal with this again!

Birthday Celebrating

 Norah certainly had fun celebrating her birthday this year. This girl got spoiled!

A few days before her birthday she woke up to a little surprise . . . Disney on Ice tickets (and a crown)!

 The kids had a great time (although this picture was taken afterward and they were pretty tired). They especially loved the Lion King and Little Mermaid. Norah liked to spin around like the ice skaters.

On her actual birthday she woke up to balloons!

 We had a birthday breakfast before Daddy had to go to work. She also got to open a few presents - a princess puzzle and flashcards.

She loved her birthday french toast.

During the day we went to Toys R Us and let her pick out a toy. She chose an Ariel doll (noticing a trend?). Later we picked up some cupcakes.

Finally we had a little get together with family on Sunday night.

 Norah and Logan and doing a Hip-Hip-Hooray!

 Funny picture of some our attendees.

She opened more presents - including a baby doll in a handmade blanket, snow stuff, Minnie Mouse doll, and several adorable outfits.

Good thing birthdays only come once a year. ;)